Oscar nominations 2014: American Hustle and Gravity rack up the nods

GOOD HUSTLE: The seventies film is up for best film, as well as scoring several acting nods [AP]

In a ceremony presented at break neck speed by Chris Hemsworth and Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the two box-office smashes grabbed ten nominations across the board, including nods for Best Film, while 12 Years a Slave managed to score nine.

The Best Film category looks like one of the hardest in years, with American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Nebraska, Philomena, 12 Years A Slave, and The Wolf of Wall Street all being listed.

12 Years a Slave had a great afternoon, grabbing a Best Actor nomination for Chiwetel Ejiofar, a Best Supporting Actress nod for Lupita Nyong'o, and a Best Director mention for Steve McQueen.

McQueen is up against David O Russell, Alexander Payne, Alfonso Cuaron and Martin Scorcese.

WELL-DESERVED: Ejiofar has earned a Best Actor nod for 12 Years a Slave [AP]

Meanwhile, Leonardo Di Caprio will be hoping to break his Acadamy curse as he is up for Best Actor for The Wolf of Wall Street.

The star, who has famously never won a gold statuette, is up against Ejiofar, Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey and Bruce Dern.

Sandra Bullock could be on course to win her second Best Actress award, as she has been nominated for her work on Gravity. Joining her in the group are Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench and Oscar staple Meryl Streep.

Fresh from winning a Best Actress award last year, Hollywood darling Jennifer Lawrence has been recognised in the Best Supporting Actress category, along with Nyong'o, Julia Roberts, Sally Hawkins and June Squibb.

In the Best Supporting Actor category, Michael Fassbender is up against Bradley Cooper, Barkhad Abdi, Jonah Hill and Jared Leto.

The Oscars will take place on March 2nd, and will be presented by Ellen Degeneres.